I often drive past their house in Tarzana, California. Annie, along with their children and dogs, lives on a quiet, narrow street in this unassuming town. It’s the kind of place where neighbors know each other.

Since Friday a guard has been posted in the driveway after paparazzi swarmed the gate in front of their house upon the news of Carradine's mysterious death. On Saturday there was a sedan parked opposite the entry and a guy with a video camera taping nothing going on; trying to get a glimpse of Annie or Carradine’s famous family members, trying to catch the goings-on inside the horror which must be their lives right now. A guy trying to make a buck off of their anguish.

It’s difficult enough to lose your spouse, but now Annie Bierman has lost two husbands within the last decade. Her mate before Carradine died of cancer.

In addition to surviving David’s sudden death she has to live with this …

He was found dead in a Bangkok hotel.

He was found dead in a Bangkok hotel, hanging in a closet.

He was found dead in a Bangkok hotel, hanging in a closet, naked.

He was found dead in a Bangkok hotel hanging in a closet, naked, with a yellow nylon cord around his neck and a black rope around his genitals.

On Friday, divorce papers surfaced on the Internet regarding Marina Anderson, Carradine’s fourth wife, who accused the actor of "deviant sexual behavior which was potentially deadly." She also claimed that Carradine participated in an "incestuous relationship with a very close family member."

Then over the weekend, a Thai newspaper published a forensic photo of Carradine, dead, hanging from a clothes bar in a closet, hands bound above his head.

soundoff(76 Responses)

Michelle

This article is badly written and offers nothing new or thoughtful. It is made worse by the fact that it feels like the "author" is sitting around with a smarmy smirk plastered on her face. Where is your humanity? A woman is suffering the death of her husband and you just snicker like a 12 year old about cords and genitals. Disgusting.

Hmm....sadly, this type of thing probably happens everyday. Seems the world needs more shock value to stimulate the senses. While I agree that CNN has stooped in journalism to print such a "story", it also reminds me how de-sensitized the world is becoming....both scary and sad....
I feel for anyone who loses a family member or loved one under questionable circumstances....leaves such confusion, pain, and anger....
Let's start leaving out the gory and grim details.....

Annie, please call me. Aunt Dorothy and Uncle John have my telephone number and contact information. I am keeping a good thought for you and your family. I know you're strong. I am too...but, sometimes we need to be supported by "family" – let me know if you'd like to meet for lunch or something.

Mariah – Obviously you are missing our point. Everyone feels very bad for the family. But, There's no reason for the reporter to keep repeating the sordid detials and at the same time talk of how she feels for the family. Probably seen you on girls gone wild with your idiotic response..

I don't think the author of this blog is trying to exploit Carradine's death even more than it already has been, but rather is trying to have us readers switch our focus and think about the pain Carradine's wife is going through of not only losing her second husband, but having to deal with the publicity and the embarrassment of the way her husband died. In my opinion, basically the author is saying David had some weird fetishes but he is dead and not having to deal with all this, so lets give a little respect and privacy to his family, especially his wife because it does "suck to be her" for having to deal with this b.s. because her husband was some type of freak.

Ahhh.... Come on peeps! The writer was just telling it like it is. The man was a disgusting sex deviate, like it or not; accept it or not. He was sick in his soul, having a torrid incestuous relationship with a family member, then refusing to allow the poor relative the peace of moving forward because he refused treatment. Obviously there were no lengths he would not go to for his own sexual pleasure, even to his own demise.

Too bad Wife #5 didn't read Wife #4's divorce allegations, she might have saved herself a lot of greif; but do I feel sympthy for her? YOu bet I do. What gross horrors to discover after your spouse is deceased. Yes my heart goes out to BOTH Wife #5 and #4; no telling what #'s 1, 2, and 3 went thru. Sympathy to them all; end of the line for David's mistreatment of those who loved him and for whom he cared so little.

In my opinion, better he died during some sexual venture than with the intent of suicide. If he was alone and it was a self-inflicted accident, then there's not even an issue of infidelity. So what is there to be embarrassed about? That he was a deviant? So what? A lot of people are.

Mourn his passing but make no mistake, an accident is a much better belief to cling to than suicide.

Bloggers gone wild! What I read, was about a family mourning and the blatant violation of that family’s privacy. Read again please, Annie Bierman has lost her second husband. This piece is about humanity, and the step by step “horror” the family experienced as the facts emerged. Thank you CNN for having the courage to say a family is hurting. Perhaps a moment of silence for Annie Bierman and family.

Wow! This is completely inappropriate! I cannot believe that this swill is even allowed to be printed and called "news." Hasn't this poor family been through enough? It's bad enough that Mr. Carradine died such a horrible death, do you have to smear all the ugly details around the net? Yeah, so maybe he was in to kinky stuff, who cares? This so-called incestuous relationship he had, his ex-wife could very well be lying about that. People have been known to lie even in an "official" court document. I just hope that this crap stops soon because I am so sick of hearing about it. Let the family grieve in privacy!!

CNN and all media should be shamed of themselves for the handling of intimate details for their salacious gain. All you did was supply people with tawdry manure and hurt the people who loved him. Way to go you foul scumbags.

Oh, Karen. I can almost see the gleam in your eyes when you got word of this. You should be fired. I also believe that a law should be passed, in which the press must get a release from the victim to publish the photos. This isn't freedom of speech, it's trashy content speaks for itself.
T.

What a complete lack of compassion. What is this supposed to be – an exercise in shock and tabloid journalism?

"the horror" is right, that this is on CNN. This type of blog seriously lowers the perceived standard of CNN. No one, not even the family of a celebrity, should be inundated with articled such as this.

WTG Sahari!
CNN used to be respectable, I thought, apparently they are just like the Globe and the Star or the Enquirer.
It is nobody's business how he died except the family! PERIOD.
We the thinking public are sick of these kinds of stories.
Get some class CNN!
Their are plenty of real stories out there, that are interesting but not sleazy if you would do your job you would find them!

I remember when he was arrested for being "under the influence" and naked running on top of cars just outside of his residence, maybe it was the 80's or late 70's. Too funny actually! Why should she be embarased, she didn't do it and she gets his millions right!

Why would anyone post this. Let the family be, let him be.Good lord, we do love to exploit a person's pain. If this were not a celeb, would we need to know this? Shame on the person that wrote this, where is your name and what's in your CLOSET?

Interesting that the man was a deviant, not worthy of holding up as an example to our children, and yet everyone seems to be sticking up for him. Go figure.

Let's face it, the guy PLAYED a nut-job in the old west who killed people and knocked tree branches off with his fist. So many of the rest of his characters were equally useless. Kill Bill had many endearing personal attributes, right?

Perhaps we need to re-examine our personal values and quit making gods out of television and movie personalities. Toss in sports figures into that pot, as well. We also ought to be careful around politicians.

What is lost on me is the fact that this poor man has been tried and convicted in the press with a distinct lack of information and any proof. There are rumors and innuendo yet the only one who truely knows what happened is no longer with us. Did all of this happen pre or post mortem? I don't know and neither does the author of this horrid piece, the difference being that I am very clear on what I don't know. A wise poster said that we all have our secrets, a valid point. I would not like mine to be splashed accross the internet and therefore I would avoid revelling in the telling of someone elses. Who is to say that Mr. Carradine did not die of natural causes and what was discovered in his room was not done to him after he passed? Give the man's memory some respect and at least allow a coroner's report to be filed before pronouncing judgement that is not ours to make. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Way to go Karen. Great article. Especially the way you repeat the seedy details over and over while beginning the article about how much you feel for the family. You're no better than the guy in the sedan. Very cheap and amatuer reporting. CNN should be ashamed this ever got past the editors desk.

Do you feel good about yourself after posting this garbage? Is it too much to ask that Mr. Carradine’s family be respected? I am disheartened that CNN would actually lower itself to publish this type of slanderous trash. The piece of human refuse who wrote this utter filth should research karma, since he/she is obviously attempting to be a pseudo existentialist philosopher. Karma has a way of coming back around to bite you in the hind quarters. One day your life could "suck" just as much as the widow’s that you have just maligned. Until this was published, I didn’t even know the woman’s name! Personally, I will remember Mr. Carradine fondly for the many hours of entertainment I’ve experienced from watching his body of work. I was a little girl watching Kung Fu with my brother, and an adult woman watching Kill Bill, with just as much enthusiasm. It is a shame that his name is being sullied by venomous insects such as the person who penned this written vomit.

Congratulations for adding to this poor family's pain. As if it isn't bad enough that his wife lost her spouse in such a manner but to also have to deal with people like you repeating the details in a tone that shows no sympathy for his widow or the family. Obviously you have no understanding of the pain and devastation that comes with such a loss. Shame on you. What is wrong with people in this world today? How has money, power and "news" come in the way of treating people with common decency?

It is telling that the writer didn't include his/her name to this piece of tabloid-level crap. I had to check and make sure I was on CNN and not FOX for this level of muck. Sadly, I was on the CNN site.

The horror is that someone like yourself gets to "publish" an article wherein you discuss the "guy trying to make a buck off their anguish" when you yourself are doing the exact same thing. Nothing substantial here. Nothing compassionate with regard to the widow. Just trash.

Nice going cnn. You are sliding downhill into Fox news territory with this kind of "reporting". Where are your standards?

I agree with Sahara and Debra Rhoades' posts. This commentary by Karen Bonsignoree adds nothing to the situation whatsoever. She must have had the urge to see her name added to her 2 cents' worth of drivel.
In regards to Carradine, I don't think all the facts are in – but – the divorce filings of the previous wife were apparently leaked by some unscrupulous law firm employee, and not the ex-wife. Assuming that swearing to an affidavit embodies the truth, well, then, I feel sorry for Carradine. Not for the way in which he died, but for the need to indulge in immoral sexual practises in the first place. Is it not enough that sex is to procreate, as well as an expression of love that people need more and more until there is no satisfaction left? ...save for the thrill of indecency? His shame in death is for all to see that this kind of nonsense is sick and unhealthy.

Wonderful work Karen Bonsignore. There's a reason everyone is clambering to refresh their Internet browsers to Yahoo news. People have had enough of recycling tragedy for the sake of generating more page hits... incidently I wish I could un-click this particular, seemingly thoughtless, piece.

I am appalled that the same news organization that works so hard to make a positive difference in this world through the effort of respected journalists such as Christiane Amampour is capable of publishing pieces of pseudo-journalism such as this one. How is this article any different from those tabloids that are " trying to make a buck off of their anguish"?. (To use the same quote).

CNN, please refrain from writting such garbage. Pieces such as this one only serve to destroy your credibility as as serious organization.

And now I know too – must be even more embarrassing to know CNN is the largest news outlet and is making sure we know each and every gruesome detail. Now curious, I guess i will google the photo Karen Bonsignore mentioned.

I agree with Sahari–let the man rest in peace & let his family deal with the aftermath of this tragedy in their own way. EVERYTHING doesn't necessarily have to be publicized. Let that family be. You are the ones who act as enablers for the papparazzi & tabloids.

Had Mrs. Bonsignore offered something insightful or at the very least offered true sympathy or asked the press to respect the privacy and dignity of these people, than I could give her a pass. This looks like someone who wanted to see their name in print.

Agreed 200% with Sahari and Debra. It's lurid muck-raking trying to pass itself off as sympathy. At least have the cahones to title it for what it is, don't try to pretend it's not leering, eager gossip about a man not around to defend himself. Lesson for the day: Don't die during a slow news cycle. Obviously CNN isn't above this kind of exploitative garbage.

I totally agree with Sahari. This article simply perpetuates the gossip and slander drudged up by this incident. The reason for this is simple: More room on the internet to fill, more junk to fill it. Same as televsion, where we now have hundreds of channels to put whatever reality-based garbage they can dream up.

Honestly, the article above is just a shamefull attempt by a nobody pretending to be somebody who cares about someone they never even knew on a personally.

I truly feel a deep sense of empathy for the Carradine family, and sadden that at such a horrific time the media cannot just allow them to be alone and grieve properly.

I hope I am wrong, but I am sure that for several months to come the media will follow this family around demanding interviews.

Earlier today I read on CNN that a 17 year old boy was arrested for the murder and rape of an 8 month old baby, why is the media not sitting in there driveway, or writting an article of how sad it is for that family, because there is no MONEY IN THAT STORY.

I agree with Sahari – This article is a sham and a slap in the face to David's family. It only adds insult to injury! Can't anyone show some class in this distressing situation? Yes, with "journalism" like this, it does "suck" (classy word, by the way) to be David's grieving family. How would you feel, Karen Bonsignore, if your husband (or brother, or father, or child) were found dead and alone and your family's history was blasted all over the world?

Yes, CNN, thank you for the inconsiderate piece on how David Carradine died while masturbating. Is this news? Of course his family is upset. if the man had a fetish, he had a fetish. We all have our issues. Not everyone would get off while hanging themselves, but we all have our secrets. You've lowered yourself to the standards of the usual paparazzi by dishing on David Carradine's.

This is awful, I wonder why people do stuff that could reflect so badly on thier kin? I really don't get this stuff. If you do stuff you can die of I guess you are so driven you don't care. This is awful

I have to agree with Sahari. How can CNN report that there was a sedan parked opposite the entry, trying to catch the goings-on inside and trying to make a buck off the anguish, unless CNN had a reporter there trying to make a buck off the anguish? Cheap shot!

funny u write some guy is trying to make a buck off their anguish and you are doing the same thing. You are no better than the scum that jumps out of the bushes and snaps pics of the stars. Hello Kettle, you're black.

As terrible as this is, hopefully it will awaken people to the horrors of men hanging themselves to get sexual pleasure. I had never heard of this until a close friend's teenage son died when he hanged himself and the first thing someone asked was did he have on women's lingerie. I didn't know what he was talking about and then someone pulled me aside and explained it. I was terrified since i had sons at home. That's not a way you want your loved one remembered – particularly in the press.

While my heart goes out to the friends and family of Mr. Carradine...I am troubled as to what purpose this article is. Is the author trying to make us feel sorry for what has happened...or just looking for another way to continue to perpetuate the rumors and another shot of cheap shot yellow journalism?? ....Oh the the horror.

And how does this article lessen her suffering? By recapping the details so anyone who missed it can play catch up? You live around there and are reporting on what's going on around her house? How often are you driving past it? How does this make you any better than the guy sitting in the car waiting for something to happen? Someone made you an executive? Are you kidding me? The horror is in posting this tripe.

ok, we got the details the day after it happened. i guess the writer doesn't want us to forget the black nylon cord ever ever again. thanks for hammering in the gory details. and for the record, i loved the Kung Fu television series and will remember mr. carradine that way, thank you very much.

Yeah, it would suck to be Annie Bierman! Keep your chin up girl! Don't blame yourself for his death. Don't pay anymore money for autopsies and investigations. We all know what the guy was doing in that closet. Save your money and have a nice rest of your life!

And yet you bring up all of these points AGAIN. Doesn't seem such a "horror" for you. Do they still pay by the word? Seems like you might have included a few more juicy tidbits to lengthen out the article. What's the matter? Couldn't include the pix as well?

This article is disingenuous crap disguised as thoughtful excrement. Go ahead and pretend to be considering the deeper meaning of things while dishing out the same swill as every other publication who is disrespecting David Carradine's death. It's one thing to search for truth in terms of murder vs. suicide vs. accident, but it's another to offer meaningless conjecture just to take advantage of the groundswell. CNN is really slumming these days!